Prairie Dog Hunt in South Dakota

[Mauser]

I would like to go on a Prairie Dog hunt in South Dakota this spring/summer.  I'm wondering if anyone here has any recommendations on how to set something like that up?  If anyone has any info on ranches, outfitters, or tribal lands that would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[iiranger]

In Pierre there is VHA (Varmint Hunters Assoc.). They have a web site and 800 number and if you want an experience and don't mind a bit of cost... Membershjp. Magazine. Parties/shooting matches if you want. Look them up.

There has been a drought. Populations are, no doubt, down a bit.

South Center SD is the Rosebud Rez (reservation). Rosebud Sioux Indians. They prefer name Lakota, but that is another story. They have a "game department" that controls hunting/shooting on the Rez. Google them and get the most current rules. Same story, North Center of SD. Cheyenne River Sioux. Eagle Butte. Many are very pleased with these folks. Lakotamall.com is run from the Pine Ridge Rez more to the SW corner of SD. They have a drinking problem [Rez is dry and Whiteclay NE just across the border sells millions of cans of beer a year. To whom you might ask? Cowboys? Ha, ha, ha]  and some unhappy stories have come from there. People not keeping their commitments. But "dog country." South of Wall there is Badlands nat. Park. [NO SHOOTING IN THE PARK. Fed slam.] South of park is Buffalo Gap Nat. Grasslands. Public land free to all.

But. There has been a ton of crap about p'dogs being endangered. (not true but part of a tree hugger hustle). Areas have been closed. Shoot there, fed slam. And they want to re establish the black footed ferret, a weasel that was almost wiped out by a house cat disease... If you are going, on your own, find these areas and avoid them... Or suffer... forest Service has had a "kiosk" just off the interstate (70? I never remember if it is 70 or 90... Hair is thinning too...) at Wall in the summer.

And there was a list of ranchers beggin for shooters put out by extension in SD. Haven't seen a copy for years, but you might ask around. luck [Wyoming is better IMHO, but suit yourself.]

[begeberg]

I was in SD in September and hit almost all the dog towns the state supplied grasslands maps had. All were obviously heavily hunted and the dogs knew it. The Trout fishing around Custer was awesome though! I would recommend finding a guided place on an Indian reservation if dog shooting was your primary focus.

[stalker1]

I've shot prairie dogs in many places in SD and NE. One of the best places I've been to is the badlands east of Wall, SD just off of I90 on the north side. I would get maps from the local game office that had not only dog town location, size and shape but what type of transportation you would need to get there. Whether it was car, 2WD truck, 4WD truck, or on foot. Usually the ones furthest away from the "beaten path" were the ones with the least pressure. When I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB I spent most off hours hunting and fishing. I was a missile technician and spent a lot of time in relatively remote areas of western SD at the missile sites and various installations which gave me time to "scope out" good places to shoot that were for the most part, public land. Many times we could park in the middle of a town and shoot all day without having to move very far when the dogs got smart. Shots ranged from 50yds to 1000 and everything in between.

[iiranger]

Mr. Bebeberg says he went to public lands in Sept and they were "shot out"... so to speak... Pups come out in March and April as born. Earlier as you go south as I understand. Adults may "sun themselves" all winter. Make a big red spot on the snow bank if you hit them, cowboys tell me. Shooters get thick after 1 June or so when school is out and the families go on vacation. May. June. July. August. By Sept., YES, things are a little worn, especially the free, public areas. By all means, if you are going to go that late and want to sit and shoot and maybe burn out a barrel... then you need a guide that has areas that have not been shot out. If you can get there earlier... These are rodents. They breed like rats and mice because they are cousins. They renew the "herd" nicely each year. This is part of the planning. Plan well and have an even better time. luck.

[Doesniper]

A buddy of mine and I were coming home from a deer hunt in Wy. a few years ago. We saw a farmer on his tractor working the ground, so we stopped and asked him about hunting deer and praire goats on his ranch. We talked for a while about people leaving gates open and driving through crops. At first he said he didn't want anymore hunting because of the trouble he had before. We assured him we would never abuse his land or leave any gate open that was closed. After a while he said we could hunt. We looked around his place for a while, then stopped by his house and gave him a hind quarter for giving us permission. A year later we stopped on our way out to western SD. and asked him if he knew of anyone with a P-dog town or two. His neighbor had a big place about 10 mi. away with two very large towns. One phone call and we shot till dark. On our way home we stopped and shot again. We thanked both ranchers and spent a few hours talking to them before coming home. I don't know if we got lucky, or if taking time to talk to this fella and us getting to know each other a little that did it. I'm just glad I listened to my buddy when he said to pull over and talk to this farmer about hunting. It's worth a try.